Tributes from both sides of politics for Arthur Marshall

TRIBUTES from both sides of politics are flowing in after the passing of former Dawesville MLA Arthur Marshall.

Mr Marhsall’s career included his talents as a tennis player and coach, a media commentator and a member of parliament.

Dawesville MLA Zak Kirkup said Mr Marshall was a warm, generous and sharp leader.

“Mandurah will miss him, Western Australia will miss him,” he said.

Mandurah MLA David Templeman said Mr Marshall made a great contribution to our local community.

Last year, Mr Marshall launched his memoir Never a Dull Moment at Peel Thunder Football Club at age 82.

Despite a long career in tennis including playing twice at Wimbledon, Mr Marshall said his passion was football.

Mr Marshall played for East Fremantle and enjoyed the camaraderie of the club.

During his long tennis coaching career, Mr Marshall taught 3500 students.

The father of former journalist Dixie Marshall, he also turned his skills to the media and penned a column for the Daily News.

One of Mr Marshall’s proudest achievements was bringing hard- surfaced tennis courts to Australia.

After moving to Mandurah to retire, Mr Marshall was asked to run for State Parliament as part of the by-election in Fremantle, standing for the Liberal National Party. He had a 100 to one chance of winning.

He won the primary vote but lost on preferences. Mr Marshall was the first Liberal to win that vote.

In 1993, he won the seat of Murray, succeeding Keith Read.

Redistribution in 1994 saw the seat abolished and Mr Marshall was elected to the new seat of Dawesville in 1996.

He was re-elected in 2001 and retired in 2005.

In 2006 Mr Marshall was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia.